Logan dishes out $12K on yule meals for city staff

LOGAN -- Logan spent some $12,999 on holiday meals for employees and officials, a decision the city's mayor says is worth the expense, even in hard times.

Mayor Randy Watts understands that some view the expenditures negatively. But Watts says the meals help keep morale high, boosting attitudes and productivity among workers.

Receipts show Logan's police department spent the most of any city department -- $2,163 at a local restaurant. The police union reimbursed the city for $138.23.

The city's administrative department, including the mayor's office and the Municipal Council spent $487.20 on a holiday feast.

City Finance Director Richard Anderson says there is no fixed spending limit for gatherings, but department heads are asked to be reasonable.